A SCENIC TOUR THROUGH REGION'S BEAUTY

One-hundred-fifty miles of Southeast Missouri beauty and history beckon visitors to this weekend's sixth annual Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive.

The self-conducted tour, sponsored by Southeast Missouri State University's Center for Regional History, is an opportunity for tourists and locals alike to celebrate spring while learning about the area's history and enjoying community events -- all in the space of a single weekend.

This year's tour is shorter than in the past because the western communities of Sedgewickville, Patton and Marquand decided not to participate.

The north entry point of the tour is Perryville, west is Marble Hill and south is Cape Girardeau, though it's fine to start somewhere else.

Visitors to towns like Brazeau, Scopus, Pocahontas, Burfordville, Friedheim, Oak Ridge and Old Appleton might find a bake sale, a little-known museum or even a restaurant called the Lizard Lick Diner. And driving from Pocahontas to Altenburg along Route C, or from Frohna to Uniontown along Routes A and F, you just might see "some of the prettiest miles of highway in all of Southeast Missouri," says Dr. Frank Nickell, the regional history center director.

"...Those of us who live in Southeast Missouri sometimes are not appreciative of it," he said. "And after a particularly bad winter, a long winter, this is a chance for people to get out and enjoy the outdoors."

So far in its history, the tour's weather has been notable for being bad, and this year's forecast isn't promising. But as many as 4,000 cars have driven by the tour's checkpoint in Burfordville over the weekend in past years.

Nickell expects many people to visit from St. Louis. The tour is promoted by the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau and is advertised in Midwest Motorist.

An annual highlight of the tour is the Spring Craftsfest to be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Black Forest Villages north of Cape Girardeau.

Working crafts, including basket weaving, broom making, blacksmithing, leathersmithing, loom rug weaving, quilting and wood carving, will be demonstrated.

Civil War re-enactors will be encamped between the two villages and the Egypt Mills Antique Tractor Club will provide a sawmill demonstration.

The Coyote Creek Band will perform bluegrass music all weekend. Kettle corn, roasted almonds, grilled chicken, Polish sausage and funnel cakes will be available.

A church service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday.

To reach the villages from Highway 61 in Cape Girardeau, rate Route W to the stop sign, turn right and watch for signs.

For more information, contact Greg or Darla at (573) 335-0899.

For more information about the drive, phone the Center for Regional History at 1-800-777-0068 or (573) 651-2555.